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Special Forces saddle up

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 7:01 am
by mmoore
New horsepower for war zones: Special Forces saddle up

USA Today article on the USMC Mountain Warfare Training Site.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati ... /10744395/

At this remote training area high in the Sierra, the U.S. Marine Corps is reviving the horsemanship skills that were once a key part of the nation's armed forces but were cast aside when tanks and armored vehicles replaced them.

Re: Special Forces saddle up

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 12:11 pm
by rayarthart
They better learn the movement called Flocking. They are too bunched up and some motor will tear them up.

Re: Special Forces saddle up

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:56 am
by roy elderkin
Interesting, are you talking from experience with mounted infantry, as my understanding of flocking is to group together not something you would want to do.
Whereas when working with mounted infantry, it largely depends on the terrain, and how you disperse mounted troops.

Re: Special Forces saddle up

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 4:44 pm
by rayarthart
Actual command found in the FM 2-5 1940 Cavalry Manual.

Re: Special Forces saddle up

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:37 pm
by browerpatch
As in "Oh --- here they come! Let's get the flock out of here!"? :o

Re: Special Forces saddle up

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:00 am
by george seal
The Castle Peaks Training Center in Reno Nevada had a Tactical Horsemanship Program around 2012.
It was advertised as very similar to this Marine course and also aimed at operations in Afganistan/Irak.
The training center's webpage is down, but it was a private company that trained military, police and private contractors. The hay many interesting courses, including one on caves (like Vietnam tunnel rats). Their Vimeo channel's still up:
http://vimeo.com/user9516791